BOYS AND GUNS

Forest and Bird, Issue 139, 1 February 1961, Page 7

BOYS AND GUNS

The Secretary of a Section of our Society has recently expressed concern at the actions of boys 8-9 years old shooting at native birds and other animals with slug guns and of older boys committing similar depredations with pea rifles.

At about the same time the letter printed below and the remarks of a Chief Inspector of Police appeared in the Nelson Evening Mail.

The statement from the Police clarifies the position. Members are assured that if they have any similar trouble they will receive the fullest cooperation from the Police in having it stopped.

Sir, —I would like to endorse “Peaceful Life’s” letter condemning indiscriminate shooting around Mapua. May I, too, through the paper challenge the police force and ask: Why are all these young boys in possession of these dangerous weapons ? Are they put through any intelligence tests before permits are granted? Can any child gain possession of these weapons just for the mere asking for a permit? Are they sold without permits and, if so, why ? In this district alone, without making any enquiries, there are seven young boys, one a mere 10-year-old, with guns. Four of these are known to have caused wilful damage to private property and possessions, and in our own unhappy experience, of our two animals being shot at, and sustaining painful injuries, and even shots fired toward our children. It is, in the main, only arrogant parents who have little or no feeling for anyone or anything who would buy such a “play thing” for their young children. Eyes can be lost, and have been lost, and even death can be caused by the use of them. Parents seem to consider it an impudence if one complains that pets have been shot at, and that one has a hide to accuse these young vandals of deriving sadistic pleasure from the wounding of helpless creatures. I believe we would get to the root of the present hooligan problem far quicker by starting on the parents first. After all, our children will only do what we, as parents, let them —I am, etc.. (Signed) A. C. BEERE.

Mapua, October 7.

When this letter was referred to Chief Inspector J. J. Kearns of the Nelson police, he said: “Under Section 8 of the Arms Act, no person under 16 years can get a permit to procure a firearm, which includes powerful air rifles and air pistols, commonly called slug guns. Although a person over 16 years can get a permit, our policy in the Nelson district is for youths between the ages of 16 and 21 years to produce written sanction from a parent or guardian approving the issue of

a permit. No person under 16 years of age would get a permit under any circumstances and any person lending such weapons to anyone else commits a breach of the Arms Act. Prior to 1958 a youth over 16 years of age could procure a slug gun without a permit and it could be that the weapons now complained of were purchased prior to 1958. So far we have only had one complaint. The matter referred to has been reported to us and is now under investigation. We regard this class of offence in a serious light and will welcome any evidence of assistance.’